EdTech enhances Project-Based learning’s impact

By @samdemuro and @ctapixels

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is popular among educators interested in encouraging student engagement with curriculum, and actively exploring real-world challenges and issues. By focusing learning on a question or challenge, PBL helps students control their own learning and drive the process.

Educational technology, or EdTech, can enhance PBL’s impact and increase efficiency in the classroom. Here are a few EdTech tools that educators can try.

Scratch allows students to code their own interactive stories.  scratch.mit.edu/educators

Scratch allows students to code their own interactive stories, games and animations. In the process, students learn to think creatively, reason and work collaboratively with their fellow students in class and around the world. scratch.mit.edu/educators Free

Mathalicious has real-world lessons to help middle and high school educators challenge their students to think critically about the world. Lessons are relevant and relatable, including “Payday,” where students use rates and ratio reasoning to compare what different professions earn, and “Pic Me,” where students use linear regression models and correlation coefficients to learn about followers, hashtags and popularity on Instagram. mathalicious.com 30 day free trial, group rates for teachers

Kyte has a library of technology professional development videos, created by educators for educators, including videos focused on project-based learning. kytelearning.com Free 14-day trial, $6.25/month

CraftED empowers teachers to deliver deeper project-based learning experiences. craftedcurriculum.com

CraftED, created by a former California classroom teacher, empowers teachers to deliver deeper project-based learning experiences to their students. Through clear guidance, planning tools, tips, workshops and e-courses, educators have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. craftedcurriculum.com Lessons are priced a la carte

Sway is an intelligent digital storytelling tool. products.office.com/en-us/made-for-doing

Sway is an intelligent digital storytelling tool, where educators and students can create and share interactive class materials, presentations, projects and more. products.office.com/en-us/made-for-doing Included with Microsoft Office 365

What is Project-Based Learning? Watch this Edutopia video to learn more: tinyurl.com/yb2ud3yf